I had an Iwata LPH300 and LPH80 a couple years back. I ended up selling them both and have been using HF guns (one for each color range - darks, reds, light colors).

I have been ok with the way the HF purples spray but really kicking myself when it comes to cleaning. The threads have white silicone or some sort of RTV sealant on them and super hard to get all of the paint off when it comes time to clean. Obviously for a clean finish this is a big deal if specs of dry paint are in the gun.

So enough about that. Time for a few different guns. I am not after the latest and greatest but I'd like to find a few good but decently priced (used is ok) gravity feed HVLPs. Any suggestions?

HF guns are air hogs - some individual guns work well, others are junk. Finishline 3 guns have 4 different tips you can buy separately and work well with most paints - I use mine regularly, even more then my IWATA and have all of the tips. The Sharpe is a decent gun. BUT after spending your bucks and if you really need a good finish, then look for an IWATA LPH 400, spend the bucks once, and forget about it

Hi,the last spray job i did for a friend,was done with a $15.00 H.F. HVLP purple gun,i was a fantastic paint job.even before cutting and buffing.i only use a new gun for color coat one time,then it becomes a primer gun.ive used IWATA,and Devilbiss guns in the past, for the money,and ease of use,i will still go with the HF purple gun.

There are budget guns then there are BUDGET guns. I have done VERY limited painting (a few bumpers and other miscellaneous parts) and have both a Devilbiss Finishline III setup (with multiple tips) and a GFG 670 Plus. I also have two Harbor freight guns - the purple and a small detail gun (neither of which I have used). In all honesty, at my (very low) skill level, the gun is the least of my worries. Picking one gun and getting the feel of painting with it is 10X more important than whichever gun I pick up. Do I think a high end Iwata or SATA would be sweet...um, yep! However, I don't think they are going to make me the painter I wish I was.

If I had to pick only one in my (limited) collection I would probably go with the Finishline III for the following reasons:

1. Decent construction
2. Spare parts are readily available
3. Relatively cheap and I got a kit with multiple tip sizes
4. Works with the 3M PPS system - OK, I admit, I LOVE the 3m PPS system. It isn't necessarily cost effective but for the occassional painter like me it makes mixing and cleanup super easy (love the multiple cup sizes) - just one less thing I have to worry about.

I apologize for a bump ....just my 2 cents for an old thread!
The HVLP guns use a higher volume of air as opposed to a higher pressure. This equates to more material on the car and less in the air.our compressor will work with some of the smaller touch up type guns (Iwata lph50/lph80) that are low CFM guns and maybe the Iwata 101 or 300. Larger guns need more volume and your compressor will run constantly to try to keep up and will eventually run out of air. Some of the larger guns take 15+CFM's which your compressor will not handle.

If you are painting whole cars that compressor will be too small. If you're doing motorcycle tanks, helmets, touch up work, flames on existing paint jobs you'll be OK.

Also--Make sure your compressor is capable of a true 8.5 cfm's because some of the compressor manufacturers inflate their numbers (pun intended). Generally 1 hp from your compressor equals 4 CFM so unless your compressor is over 2 HP your CFM # may be listed higher than it actually is. I use a 4.5 gallon Ridgid 1.8 HP (CFM at 40 is 7.6 I think) twin tank for airbrush work and I also use it for priming, painting and clearing motorcycle tanks and helmets. It will usually kick on once or twice when I spray clear or primer but it fills back up super fast and never runs low on air when I use my mini guns. I've used a sharpe finex 100 and a Devilbiss SRW (great gun BTW) with it recently and it had no problem. I'll be getting an LPH80 soon also. I wouldn't want to try to paint a whole car with either gun because the fan to small.

Using a smaller compressor like the one I currently use is not the best way--I am currently in an apartment without a garage so I needed something small that was portable. I have a friends garage to use to spray the primers/bases and clears but I do the airbrush stuff at my apt. My friend and I are in the process of getting a larger compressor for the garage.

The non compressor guns you are talking about may be the turbine guns. I've never used one so I can't help. They are $$$ though. I'd rather just get a bigger compressor.

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